Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, Vocabulary List Chapters 10-12

a relationship in which people, groups, or countries agree to work together

Long before his mother sent him away for the last time, the boy and his stepsister had forged a quiet alliance.

help toward reaching a goal

Heatedly he banged a mayonnaise-smeared fist on the side of the television console, to no avail.

to become very angry

Leon seemed more puzzled than upset, but Lonna went totally ballistic.

the killing of many people

The nurse steered him down a back corridor to the emergency room, where Roy was relieved to find no chaos or carnage.

an account of events in the order of their happening

This was to become a recurring scene in the Deep family chronicles.

a low piece of furniture with drawers or sometimes a door and shelves

His hand trembling, Curly lowered the pistol and stared ruefully at what he'd done. He'd accidentally shot the commode.

the way that a person behaves in a particular place or situation

Instead she continued to pretend that her son was doing fine, that his grades were good and his conduct was improving.

to think deeply or carefully about (something)

Undoubtedly, the special-effect department would give her six green legs and a pair of antennae, which Curly found intriguing to contemplate.

to attract (someone) especially by offering or showing something that is appealing, interesting, etc.

Enticed by the sweet warm smell, he reached across and grabbed two cookies off the top of the pile.

unusually good : much better than average

Beatrice had sized up his mother perfectly: Mrs. Eberhardt kept an exceptionally neat house.

a short trip especially for pleasure

Her mother was in town visiting, and the two of them had planned numerous shopping excursions for Saturday and Sunday.

to order (someone) not to do something

Her stepbrother had forbidden them from giving his name to the hospital, for fear that his mother would be notified.

having or showing a lot of violence and blood

Other kids could be really curious about that gory stuff, but not Roy.

acting or tending to act suddenly and without careful thought

When the emergency room clerk asked Beatrice for her stepbrother's name, address, and phone number, Roy impulsively had stepped forward and blurted his own.

to attack and injure (someone) in a way that cuts or tears skin :to attack (someone) and cause a bloody injury

Not wishing to be mauled by dogs (or gored by the umbrella), Curly had remained outside the gate, watching in puzzlement.

very bad, poor, weak, etc.

He was a pathetic liar, and he knew it.

very effective or strong

Her brow furrowed at the thought of glass beakers bubbling with potent chemicals.

to destroy or damage (something) deliberately so that it does not work correctly

Who sabotaged my equipment, and when?

a small piece of information or news

He was trained to remain calm while sorting through loose snippets of information.

quiet and secret in order to avoid being noticed

Beatrice's stepbrother rose stealthily, tugged off his new sneakers, and crept forward.

expressing strong disapproval or criticism

Dr. Gonzalez fixed Roy with a stern gaze, though there was an edge of amusement in her voice.

causing strong feelings of sadness usually because someone has died in a way that seems very shocking, unfair, etc.

Roy didn't understand how a mother could kick her own child out of her life, but he knew such tragic things occurred.

very dangerous

He recalled that the cranky foreman had threatened to unleash vicious guard dogs, and he assumed they were the ones that bit Mullet Fingers.

to tell (someone) officially about something

As the guidance counselor at Trace Middle School, Garrett's mother was notified whenever a student got into trouble with the law.